Father: Charles Julian Theodore Tharp, "the well-known portrait painter", see https://suffolkartists.co.uk/index.cgi?choice=painter&pid=621 Mother: Ethel Winifred Elizabeth [Simpson] Had an elder brother, Howard Grahame Tharp, b. 3 Jul 1912, m. Jan 1949 in London, Silvia JA Smith, (3 children Rosamund S b. 1951, Alison L b. 1954, Richard D G b. 1957) Ed. Bedales, Petersfield prev. L/Cpl, Parachute Battalion, Army Air Corps 3 Sep 1939 to 24 Jan 1943; "Agriculture", Essex War Agricultural Executive Committee Address in 1943: 84 Boundary Rd, London NW8 Postings: 5TFPP, 2FPP, 7FPP, 16FPP Ab initio pilot Suspended with loss of pay for 1 day in August 1944 for infringment of standing orders.
2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 12 Jul 1944, he undershot the landing in a Swordfish and hit a barbed wire fence - 2 Nov 1944, his Seafire III NN333 swung after a normal landing and the undercarriage collapsed. A fault was later found.
"This officer obviously has intelligence but comments were made on his occasional carelessness" ... "Quiet and reliable" ... Keen and conscientious"
m. Sep 1944 Joyce Ann Fenwick, also of the ATA.
"Flying RomanceThere was a wedding in Old Bosham Church on Tuesday, which was the culmination of a war time flying romance, when Third Officer John Tharp, of the A.T.A., married Cadet Joyce Fenwick, also of the A.T.A. They are both pilots and ferry aircraft. John Tharp is the second son of Mr. Charles Tharp, the well-known portrait painter, who has made his home in Old Bosham since the war, and whose beautiful picutres, portraits and landscapes are hanging in the Anchor Inn. Charles Tharp was at The Slade School of Art with Sir William Orpen and Augustus John, and has had many pictures hung in the Royal Academy. John Tharp was in the First Parachute Battalion formed in the early days of the war, but injured his back doing a jump, and was invalided out. Later he joined the A.T.A. The bride was given away by Third Officer John Gilbert, A.T.A. pilot, and her sister Marjorie Fenwick, was bridesmaid. The best man was Hugh Stewart, B.B.C. producer. The Rev. A. L. Chatfield officiated. Mrs. Turvey. the bridegroom’s sister, made the wedding cake, and decorated the church with the help of Third Officer (Mrs.) Bannister, another A.T.A. pilot. A delicious tea for 30 people was provided by Mrs. Leather at The Grange. Mr. Graham Tharp, who is a film producer for M.o.I., did a lot of work as M.C., and Mrs. Diana Britton did “billeting officer,” finding bed and accommodation for numerous guests, not an easy thing to do these days. After spending a night in Bosham, the happy couple left for the Scilly Isles to spend their honeymoon. " - Chichester Observer - Saturday 16 September 1944
Gained his Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20700 ) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 30 Oct 1945 Address in 1945: 45a Buckland Crescent, Hampstead London NW3
d. 20 Jul 1951 in Tangayika, in the crash of Anson VP-KHT - see Accident Avro Anson Mk I VP-KHT, 20 Jul 1951 (aviation-safety.net)
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1943
1945
